The issue of reproductive rights and abortion was front and center in Florida’s largest media market as President Joe Biden made it the centerpiece of a quick stop in Tampa.
The President’s visit came soon after a Florida Atlantic University/Mainstreet Research Poll was released late last week showing presumptive Republican Candidate, and Former President, Donald Trump with a 50% to 42% lead over Mr. Biden among registered Florida voters. According to the poll, 8% preferred alternate candidates.
Air Force One landed at the Tampa International Airport just after 2 p.m. Tuesday. The presidential motorcade then headed to Hillsborough Community College, where he was greeted by dozens of supporters who chanted “four more years” and made calls to get out and vote.
Biden addressed Florida’s Heatbeat Protection Act which goes into effect on May 1. The act prohibits abortion as early as six weeks. This issue, in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, is a key item on the 2024 ballot.
Biden called the act “bizarre” and said it should be women who make that decision, not state governments. He said if elected, he would work to reverse the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Biden’s speech was in response to Donald Trump’s recent statement regarding abortion on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“We’ll teach Donald Trump and extremist MAGA Republicans a valuable lesson: Don’t mess with the women of America,” Biden said.
The president visited Tampa hoping to appeal to Florida voters prior to the presidential election. Although Trump won Florida in the 2020 election, Biden won Hillsborough County by nearly 7%.
The appearance sent a message that the president hopes to keep Florida in play. About a third of Hillsborough County voters being registered as independents, and Biden hopes sway their votes.
President Biden spoke to the crowd at HCC for just over 10 minutes. He then attended an informal reception before boarding Air Force One around 5 p.m. to return to the White House.
Credits
Anchors: Dawson Cordova
Reporters: Ari Angelo, Diego Adesso, Joseph Rodriguez
Web Editor: Victoria Harris
Graduate Assistant: McKenzie Muskett
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson